AUBURN HILLS — The new look Pistons are set to play their first meaningful game Wednesday when they open the 2013-14 season by hosting the Washington Wizards at The Palace.

It was a busy offseason for Detroit and every move was made with the hopes of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The Pistons have not got off to a good start in recent years and have not won their season opener since 2009. Detroit begins the season with four out of five at home this season so the potential to get off to a good start is there, but Greg Monroe said the team is not looking ahead.

“Right now it’s about winning tomorrow,” Monroe said after Tuesday’s practice. “We just have to focus all our energy on beating the Wizards. We can’t focus on ... the start of the season. We gotta put all our energy and focus onto them and winning (Wednesday) night. I think that’s what everybody is focused on. We just played them so they are fresh in everybody’s mind. We got some stuff we have to clean up. Obviously we’ll be seeing more of the starters.”

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Detroit defeated the Wizards, 99-96, on Oct. 22 in a preseason game. A few days later the Wizards boosted their roster by trading for big man Marcin Gortat, who averaged 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds for Phoenix last season.

“A very good pick-and-roll big man,” Monroe said of Gortat. “He can hit the short jumper, get to the goal. He’s got some very good moves in the post. He’s 7-feet, strong, athletic. He’s definitely another added dimension that’s going to help them and somebody we have to prepare for.”

The Pistons will be a bit short-handed in the backcourt with Brandon Jennings (jaw) and Rodney Stuckey (thumb) expected to be out.

Pistons coach Mo Cheeks has declined to name a starting backcourt for Wednesday’s opener, but veterans Chauncey Billups and Will Bynum are two likely candidates.

Bynum is expected to lead the second unit once everyone is healthy and Cheeks said he was hesitant to take Bynum out of that role, but Bynum said it doesn’t matter to him either way.

“The only thing that matters is we get that win at the end of the night,” Bynum said. “That’s the only thing that matters. Who’s starting, none of that matters. It doesn’t matter as long as we get the win at the end of the day. What matters is who finishes the games.”

The injuries to Jennings and Stuckey could also open up playing time for rookies Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Peyton Siva, who both played heavy minutes during the preseason.

Cheeks said he has no reservations about playing the rookies after what he saw in the preseason.

“I’m not afraid,” Cheeks said of playing the rookies. “I thought with the injuries, the preseason gave these guys a lot of valuable experience. Although the regular season is a little bit different than preseason, but it still gave them experience to be able to go out on the court and let me know they can play in the NBA game. I don’t have reservations if I need to put them in the game, with either one of them.”

Datome filling it up

Rookie Gigi Datome practiced in full for the second straight day Tuesday after missing the entire preseason with a hamstring injury.

Datome is obviously behind in earning a spot in the rotation, but has already earned praise from his teammates for the way he can shoot the ball.

“Gigi can shoot the (heck) out of the ball,” Bynum said. “I didn’t know he could shoot it like the way he’s shooting it. I knew he could shoot, but not like that.”

“He’s been good,” Monroe said. “He’s getting up and down. He looks like he’s moving fine. Obviously the shot is there. He made a lot of shots. He’s definitely going to add another shooter. If he’s in the rotation, he’s going to help us out.”

Cheeks was pleased to hear Datome’s teammates praise him and agreed Datome has been shooting the ball well.

“He shot the ball,” Cheeks said of Datome’s play Tuesday. “That’s what he does. He shot the ball. We didn’t do a lot of contact, but he shot the ball like he shot the ball yesterday.

“He had been shooting in drills. It’s a little different shooting in drills as opposed to up and down. He played yesterday and shot the ball really well. Today, he shot the ball well again.”

Contact Dave Pemberton at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.